Speeches | 01 September 2014

2014 Australia-India Roundtable Report: Outcomes Statement and Summary Record of Proceedings

The relationship between Australia and India has reached a new maturity, based on deepening connections between their societies, economies, education sectors and policy establishments. This positions these two democracies to work together to advance their interests in a shared Indo-Pacific region. Ahead of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's visit to India, the Lowy Institute for International Policy, Observer Research Foundation and Australia India Institute have released the summary of proceedings and outcomes report for the 2014 iteration of the Australia-India Roundtable, the most substantial informal dialogue yet held between the two countries. The outcomes report includes creative policy ideas to advance the bilateral relationship in the years ahead.

This dialogue was supported by the Public Diplomacy Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Australia-India Council of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The relationship between Australia and India has reached a new maturity, based on deepening connections between their societies, economies, education sectors and policy establishments. This positions these two democracies to work together to advance their interests in a shared Indo-Pacific region. Ahead of Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott's visit to India, the Lowy Institute for International Policy, Observer Research Foundation and Australia India Institute have released the summary of proceedings and outcomes report for the 2014 iteration of the Australia-India Roundtable, the most substantial informal dialogue yet held between the two countries. The outcomes report includes creative policy ideas to advance the bilateral relationship in the years ahead.

This dialogue was supported by the Public Diplomacy Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the Australia-India Council of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Key Findings

  • Australia and India should federalise their bilateral relationship, encouraging dynamic states and cities in both countries to connect more with each other.
  • Australia and India should improve business and regulatory environments to enable cross-investments by the private sectors in the two countries, including in the entire energy chain.
  • Australia and India should be more ambitious in strengthening defence ties, including through advanced naval exercises, shared maritime surveillance, research in areas of mutual strategic interest and potential cooperation in advanced areas of defence technology.

Executive Summary

Please download PDF for the full text of the report.

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